Claire M DeCicco

Claire Marie DeCicco (nee Clara Caffera), 94, of Livingston, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on January 12, 2023.

Devoted mother of Annette DeCicco/husband Larry Stanley, Diane (nee DeCicco) Brozyna/husband Garry F. Brozyna.  Cherished grandmother of Garry J. Brozyna/wife Lauren, Allison (nee Brozyna) Altieri/husband Matthew, and Emily Claire Brozyna. Proud great-grandmother of Zoey Claire Brozyna, William Nicholas Altieri, Mia Kathryn Brozyna, and Isla Diane Altieri. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Alfonso M. DeCicco, her parents Joseph and Raffaela (Rae) Caffera, her daughter Laura DeCicco, and her siblings. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Lovingly referred to as ‘Clara Bow’, after the 1920’s ‘It Girl’, Claire was born at the family summer home in Long Branch, NJ in 1928, grew up in the Vailsburg section of Newark, and attended Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange. It was in Long Branch where Claire met her husband Al. An avid fan of Western movies, Claire had an early desire to go West. Her dream was fulfilled when she married Al and moved to ‘West’ Orange where they lived for over 50 years. She was a talented artist, cook, and the ultimate hostess with an open door, both in West Orange and in Long Branch, entertaining family and friends. She was Mom and Grandma Claire to more than just her children and grandchildren, but to all their friends, especially down the shore.

Her cookbook, filled with tattered pages of recipes in her own handwriting, is her family’s prized possession, passed from generation to generation. Above and beyond Italian cuisine, Claire’s specialties included Coq au Vin, Paella, and dishes from the stacks of Bon Appétit.

An active member of United Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey and Parents Association, she chaired many successful charity events, most notably yearly fashion shows at Mayfair Farms.

The funeral mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Holy Family Church in Florham Park, immediately followed by the Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. 

Donations may be made in Claire’s name to https://pillarnj.org/donate/ formerly United Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey.